Movable sign exhibitor



June 30, 1931. s. CALLER MOVABLE SIGN EXHIBITOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledMa-rch 29 1928 June 30, 1931. s. CALL ER' MOVABLE SIGN EXHIBITOR Filed March 29, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 52/0 2780 QM W W;

Patented June 30, 1931 SOLOMON CALLER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS MOVABLE SIGN EXHIBITOR Application filed March 29, 1928. Serial No. 265,547,

The invention relates to traveling or cl-iangeable signs, and has a special relation to signs of this character which are adapted to display portions of a sign strip in succession and in snoh manner that each portion 1s el'illlljlij'ed at a time and is retained in exposed position for a predetermined period of time so as to ena -ble observers to appreciate its import.

The main object of the invention is the provision of a. series of signs arranged in a strip of a comparatively great length and adapted tobe'displayed in succession over a relatively small space.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flexible sign strip of a comparatively great length which is adapted for a step-bymovement for exhlbit ing prec'letermined portions-of said sign for a predetermined period of tim-eand which will attract attention when in oeeration;

A *1 further object, of-the invention is to e in a device of the character described having a flexiblesign strip of a comparatively' great length, novel and improved meansfor causing, a successive step-by-step me n of the sa 1ne ,-first in one direction opposite direction.

i'ere'bject of the invention is to pro device of the character described g s for si'iccess'i'vely feeding stepby-step-a flexible sign-strip of a comparatively great automaticreversing the direction of y movement of said sign after it has reached the end of its movementin one direction.

A sti l l furtherobjeot'of the invention is to provide in a device of the character described having a flexible sign strip adapted for the successive display of portions thereof, novel and improved means for retaining in exposed position for a predetermined period of time the said portions of said'sign which are On-displ'ay'.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a device of the character described having a flexible sign strip adapted for the successive display of portions thereol, a flexible ribbon associated With said sign for feedingv the same, and means provided novel and improved means for adjacent each end of said ribbon adapted for engagement With mechanism for causing areversal of the movement of said flexible sign.- a

A still further Object of the invention is to provide novel and improved means for mounting a flexible sign strip of a comparatively great length in a relatively small coinpartment and which sign is adapted to display portions thereof in succession and in such manner that each predetermined pori tion is exhibited at a time through the front of said compartment and is retained in enpos-ed position for a predetermined period of time.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a flexible sign strip of a comparatively great length which is adapted for stepby-step movement and which will be simple, compact, easily and cheaply manufactured and assembled and eflicient in carrying out the purposes for which it is designed.

Stated generally, the invention comprises a substantially rectangular casing through the front Wall of which is adapted to be displayed successive predetermined portions of a flexible sign strip of a comparatively great length the opposite ends of which sign are bound upon a pair of spools or drums mounted within the casing. Mount-ed also Within the casing aremeans for causinga 'step-by-step feed- 111g, of said sign and means for automatically reversing the direction of movement of said sign afterthe same has reached the end of its-movement in one'direction.

With the foregoing and other Objects in View, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of parts of my a-pparatus whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in the ap pended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in Which; H

7 Fig.1 1, is. a front elevational view'of a device embodying the invention, partsthereof being broken away to more clearly show the spools in a taut condition.

Referring to the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated by way of example in the drawings, the reference character 1, designates a substantially rectangular casing, the front of which casing may be closed by a transparent pane of glass 2, or the like, which glass may be received in a frame 3, of any well known and desired construction. The casing 1, is provided with top, bottom and side walls, and a rear wall, if desired, the said casing being of sufficient depth to receive and house the operating mechanism to be hereinafter more fully described.

Mounted within the casing 1, are a pair of horizontally disposed drums or spools 4 and 5, said drums being of a well known construction and are disposed one above the other, the drum 4 being positioned adjacent the top of the casing and the drum 5 being positioned near the bottom of the casing. The said drums are journaled for rotation in the side walls of the casing 1, as shown in Fig. 2, of the drawings. The drums 1 and 5 are provided with the loop spring 5, the free ends of which are secured to the shaft upon which the drums are mounted by means of the rivet 6. The intermediate portion of the said spring 5' is adapted to engage the inner surface of the drums 4: and 5 for maintaining the film mounted on said drums in a substantially taut condition. The sign or advertising medium used is in the form of a comparatively long flexible strip 6, having provided thereon suitable advertising indicia such as shown in Fig. 1. The said strip is adapted to pass in rear of the glass front 2, while the end portions thereof after passing over horizontally disposed rollers or idlers 7 for guiding said strip and for preventing friction of the same against the ends of a light diffusing glass plate 8, are wound upon the drums 4 and 5. Positioned directly in rear of the light diffusing glass plate 8, are a number of vertically disposed refiectors 9, said reflectors being provided at their tops and bottoms with electric light sockets for receiving the light bulbs 10, said reflectors directing the light towards the front of the casing.

The mechanism is self contained and is antomatic in action. The means for causing the said sign strip to be fed step by step across the front of the casing will now be described. An electric motor 11, of usual construction, is mounted at some suitable point within the casing 1, the drive shaft of said motor being operatively connected by means of a belt 12, or the like, with a pulley 13, which pulley is adapted for rotation with a shaft to which it is keyed, said shaft having rigidly secured thereto a pinion 14:, or the like, which pinion is in constant mesh with a compound gear 15, for imparting rotary movement thereto. The said compound gear 15, may be mounted on a suitable shaft 16 journaled in the side wall of the casing. It will thus be apparent that upon the rotation of the motor 11, constant rotation will be imparted to the compound gear 15, through the connections just described.

In order to impact rotary movement to the spring drums or spools 4, and 5, so that the flexible sign strip 6, may be wound off one spool and wound on the other, I provide the following means: Strips or relatively narrow ribbons 17, of metal, or the like are provided, said strips having the opposite ends thereof wound upon the drums or spools 1, and 5, at

winding and winding of the metal strip .1

17 will cause a corresponding winding and unwinding of the sign strip 6. The intermediate portion of the strips 17 are passed over guide rollers or idlers, 18, there being two such guide rollers provided for each strip, said rollers being mounted on small shafts 19, the ends of which shafts are journaled in the side wall of the casing adjacent thereto, and a suitable bracket 20, se cured to the said side wall in any suitable manner. As shown in Fig. 6, of the drawings the rollers or idlers 18, are provided on their outer peripheries with an annular recess or groove 21, in which recess the strip 17 is adapted to be received for riding therein, whereby the danger of the said strip being displaced is avoided. A second annular recess 22, is also provided in said rollers 18, for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The two rollers or idlers 18, at each side of the casing 1, are mounted, as shown, directly one above the other and spaced from. each other a sufiicient distance to receive therebetween a rotary member, generally designated by the reference character 23, and shown in Fig. 5, of the drawings. The member 23, is rigidly secured to a shaft 24:, which shaft is horizontally disposed and has its ends journaled in the side walls of the casing, for rotation therein. As shown in Fig. 3, the member 23, is mounted to one side of the rollers 18, and is provided with a series of sprocket teeth 25, which teeth are adapted to be received in openings 26, provided therefor in the strips 17, for imparting movement to said strips.

355 termittent rotation only.

The action being a sort of; chain and sprocket action, the said strips acting as chains, The strip 17,, as shown in Fig. 3, has one end there of wound on one of the drums, is then passed over the right side and top of the lower roller 18, over the left side and top of the member 23, the openings; 26, receiving the sprocket teeth 25 therein, then over the right side of the upper roller 18, and then wound on the upper drum 4. It will thus be apparent that when the member 23, is caused to rotate, the

strips 17, will be caused to wind itself off one drum and on the other, causing a. corresponding movement of the sign strip 6. The recess 22, provided in the rollers 18, permits the passage of the sprocket teeth 25, as the member 23, rotates about its axis.

In order to impart intermittent rotary movement to the member 23, I provide said member with a toothed portion or gear 27', which gear is adapted to mesh with teeth 28, provided therefor on a predetermined portion of the periphery of the compound gear 15. As shown in Fig. 4, the compound gear 15, is provided with an endless set of teeth 30, adapted for continuous engagement with the pinion 14, the teeth 28, provided on'only a portion of the periphery for engagement with the teeth 27, to impart rotary movement to the member 23, onl for a predetermined portion of the revolution of the gear 15. It will thus be noted that the compound gear 15, will be constantly rotating whereas the member 23, and its associated parts will have in- As shown in. Fig. 4, the outer periphery of the compound gear 15, is provided with the endless set of teeth '30, along the central portion thereof, a portion of one edge thereof is 5 provided with the teeth 28 for engagement with the teeth 27, the remainder of this edge is left smooth and is designated by the reference character 29, for permitting the member 23, to dwell after the teeth 27 have passed out of engagement with the teeth 28. The other edge of the periphery of the compound gear 15, is provided with a'smooth portion 31, said smooth portion being provided with a depression or recess 32, disposed directly opposite the teeth 28, for a purpose to be presently described. It will thus be seen that as the compound gear 15, is rotated, it will enga e duringa portion of each revolution the gear 27, imparting rotary movement to the same, which will through the strips 17, and sprocket teeth 25, engaging said strips, cause the said sign strip 6, to be wound off one drum and wound onthe other drum, whereby a portion of said sign strip will be positioned opposite or incoincidence with theopening inthe front of the casing, said portion of the sign strip being of a predetermined size, and bearing a full and completemessage to be displayed at the front of the casing. During the remainder of the revolution ofzthe compound gear to display another portion of the sign bearing another message.

To insure against movement of the member 23, when the teeth 27 thereon are out of engagement with the teeth 28 on the compound gear 1.5, I provide on the member 23, intermediate the sprocket teeth25, and the gear teeth 27, a member 34, having formed integral therewith, or in any other suitable manner, the cam portion 33, which cam portion is adapted to ride on the smooth surface 31, on the periphery of the compound gear 15.

It will be noted from an inspection of the cam portion 33, shown in Fig. 5, that the front face thereof is slightly curved in order to correspond to the curvature of the outer periphery of the compound gear 15, whereby when the teeth 27 and 28, are out of engagement, there will be no movement whatsoever of the member 23, and its associated parts. When the member 23, is in engagement with the gear 15, and is rotating therewith as already explained, the cam portion 33, is permitted to rotate with the member 23, because of the recess or depression 32, provided therefor on the periphery of the gear 15. The member 345, is spaced from the toothed portion 27, by means of a collar 35, or in any other suitable manner, in order to permit the passage of the teeth 30, therebetween. Thus it will be seen that when the teeth 27 and 28, are in mesh the member 23, will rotate with the gear 15, causing a feeding of the sign strip 6, across the front of the casing for the display of a portion of said sign, this portion being of a predetermined length and bearing afull and complete message, and will remain on display until the teeth 28, are again brought intoengagement with the teeth 27 at which time another ortion of the sign will be moved across the rout of the casing, bearing another message. During the time that the message is on display, the member 23, is held absolutely still, because of the engagement between the cam surface 33, and thesurface 31, upon which the cam surface 33, is adapted to ride when the teeth 27 and 28 are out of engagement with each other. The said cam surface 33, is so mounted and its rotation is so timed that when the toothed portion 27, has engaged the last tooth of the toothed portion 28, the said cam surface 33, will ride on to the smooth surface 31, slidin'g thereon until, the teeth 27, and 28, are again brought into engagement with each other.

In virtue of this construction it'will be manifest that when the electric motor 11, is in operation and the gear 15, is rotated by its engagement with the pinion 14, the teeth 28, will engage the teeth 27, during .a predetermined portion of each revolution of the gear 15, for imparting rotary movement to the member 23, and through said member and the mechanism hereinbefore described to the drums or spools 4, and 5, in order to feed said sign strip 6, across the front of said casing. As soon as the teeth 28 pass out of engagement with the teeth 27, there will be no further movement of the sign strip, and the portion of said sign on display at the front of the casing will remain there until the gear 15, has moved a sufficient amount to again bring the teeth 28, into mesh with the teeth 27. This action of first moving a portion of said sign across the front of the casing and leaving it on display for a predetermined period of time will continue until all of the sign strip has been wound off one drum or spool and wound on the other drum or spool, at which time the rotation of the gear 15, will be automatically reversed and operation repeated in the opposite direction. As each portion of the sign or message carried thereby is permitted to be left on display for a definite period of time it is immaterial whether the sign is moved from top to bottom or vice versa.

The means employed for automatically reversing the movement of the sign strip are as follows: A toggle switch of the usual and well known construction, said switch being designated by the reference character 36, and is provided with the usual switch arm 37, is mounted on the side wall of the casing, and in a position suitable for it being operated by the compound gear 15, in the following manner: hen the switch arm 37, is in either of the extreme positions shown in Fig. 3, it will be out of the path of a pin 44, which is provided on the gear 15, but when moved only 3 a slight amount from either of said extreme positions it will be in the path of said pin, and will be adapted to be struck thereby to be moved in the direction in which the pin is v traveling at the time it strikes the said switch arm.

In order to move the said switch arm in the path of the pin 44, to be struck thereby, I provide a pair of operating levers 39, and 40, said levers being pivoted intermediate their ends on the side wall of the casing, on

against the edge of the strip 17, to be actuated thereby at certain times. Provided on the strip 17 adjacent each end thereof, is a projection 43, as shown in Fig. 7, said projection being adapted to engage the lever lying in its path of movement. Thus when the sign strip 6, has reached the end of its movement in one direction, the projection 43, will engage the lever39, or 40, as the case may be, moving the same about the pivot 38, the spring finger 41, or 42, as the case may be, engaging the switch arm 37 moving the same a slight amount, to bring the said switch arm and to hold the same in the path of the pin 44, which pin will strike the switch arm 37, and move the same in the direction of travel of the pin 44, for reversing the rotation of the electric motor 11.

As sh own in Fig. 3, the sign strip 6, is being wound off the drum or spool 4, and wound on the drum 5, the switch arm 37, being in its extreme left hand or full line position. WVhen in this position the switch arm 37, is out of the path of travel of the pin 44, provided on the gear 15. However, when the drum 4, has been nearly fully unwound, the projection 43, will strike the lever 39, swinging the same about its pivot 38, to the position shown in dotted lines, in which position it will remain until the pin 44, will strike the said switch arm 37 and move it to its opposite position, shown in dotted lines, for reversing the rota tion of the motor. The parts being so relatively arranged that the pin 44 will strike the arm 37, to reverse the operation of the motor without disturbing the time period for which each portion of the sign is to be displayed.

In order to uniformly feed the sign strip 6, I provide a feeding strip 17, at each end of the drums or spools, and also guide rollers or idlers 18, therefor. The member 50, on the left of the casing as viewed in Fig. 2, is similar to the member 23, with the exception that the gear portion 27, the cam element 33, and the collar 35, are not necessary and are therefore eliminated.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description of my device that it is calculated to attract attention when placed in a show window or at any other desired point; also, that the step by step feeding of the sign strip is very advantageous inasmuch as it allows ample time for each portion thereof or each message thereon to make display to advantage before the said sign is again moved for the display of another message. It will be further noted that the mechanism is self contained and since it is automatic in operation it requires no attention except when the sign strip is to be removed and another substituted.

I have specifically described the preferred embodiment of my invention in detail in order to impart an exact understanding of the same. I do not desire, however, to be understood as confining myself to the specific construction and relation of parts as disclosed, inasmuch as the scope of my invention is defined by my appended claims and within said claims changes or modifications may be made Without affecting my invention.

Having thus described the invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an advertising device, the combination of a casing having an opening, a pair of spools within the casing, a sign strip connected to the spools and adapted to be wound ofi one spool and on the other, means for intermittently driving said spools, this sign strip bearing characters disposed thereon forming a series of messages, guides for directing the sign strip across the opening, whereby said messages will be displayed through said opening, an electric circuit, a switch for controlling said circuit means for automatically reversing the direction of movement of said driving means, said last mentioned means including a pair oi pivotally mounted levers adapted to be actuated by said driving means, said levers being operative to actuate said switch to place the latter in position to be operated by the driving means for reversing the direction of movement ofth'e latter.

2. In an advertising device, the combination of a housing having a display aperture, a pair of horizontally disposed spools Within the housing, a signstrip connectedto the spools and adapted to be wound off one spool and on the other, means forintermittently driving said spools, said sign strip bearing characters disposed thereon forming a series of messages, guides for directing the sign strip across the display aperture for displaying the said messages therethrough, an electric circuit, a switch for controlling said circuitand means for automatically reversing the direction of movement of said driving means, said last mentioned means including a pair of pivotally mounted levers adapted to be actuated by said driving means, said levers being operative to actuate said switch to place the latter in position to be operated by the driving means for reversing the direction of movement of the latter.

3. In an advertising device, the combination of a housing having a display aperture, a pair of horizontally disposed spring drums Within the housing, a sign strip connected to the drums and adapted to be wound off one drum and on the other, said sign strip hearing characters disposed thereon forming. a

series of messages, means for driving said sign strip across the said display aperture from the top to the bottom thereof, guides for directingthe sign strip acrossthe display aperture for displaying the said messages therethrough, an electric circuit, a switch for controlling said circuit and means for automatically reversing the direction of movement of said driving means, said last mentioned means including a pair of pivotally mounted levers adapted to be actuated by said driving means, said levers being operative to actuate said switch to place the latter in position to be operated by the driving means for reversing the direction of movement of the latter.

4s. In an advertising device, the combination of a housing having a display aperture, a pair of horizontally disposed spools Within the housing, a sign strip connected to the spools and adapted to be wound off one spool and on the other, said sign strip bearing characters disposed thereon forming a series-of messages, means for driving said sign strip across the said display aperture from topto bottom or from bottom to top thereof, guides for directlng the sign strip across the display aperture for displaying the said messages therethrough, an: electric circuit, a switch for controlling said circuit and means for automatically reversing the direction of movement of said driving means, said last mentioned means including a pair of pivotally mounted levers adapted to be actuated by said driving means, said levers being operative to actuate said switch to place the latter in position to be operated by the driving means for reversing the direction of move ment of the latter.

5. In an advertising device, the combination of a housing having a display aperture, a pair of spools within the housing, a sign strip connected to the spools and adapted to be wound ofi one spool and on the other, this strip having characters thereon and forming a series of messages, which messages are adapted to follow each other in succession as the strip is moved in either direction, means for driving the spools intermittently, whereby each message may be on display at the display aperture for a predetermined period of time, means for guiding the said sign strip across the said aperture, an electric circuit, a switch for controlling said circuit and means for automatically reversing the direction of movement of said driving means, said last mentioned means including a pair of pivotally mounted levers adapted to be actuated by said driving means, said levers being operative to actuate said switch to place the latter in position to be operated by the driving means for reversing the direction of movement of the latter.

6. In an advertising device, the combination of a housing having a display aperture, a pair of spools disposed in the housing, a sign strip connected to the spools and having a plurality of messagesappearing thereon arranged to be positioned successively in coincidence with the said display aperture, intermittent driving means adapted to turn the said spools step by step and permit said sign Ill) strip to dwell with one of its messages in co-incidence with the display aperture, an electric circuit, a switch for controlling said circuit and means for automatically reversing the direction of movement of said driving means, said last mentioned means including a pair of pivotally mounted levers adapted to be actuated by said driving means, said levers being operative to actuate said switch to place the latter in position to be operated by the driving means for reversing the direction of movement of the latter.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination of a casing having a display aperture, a pair of spools within the casing, a sign strip connected at its ends to the spools and adapted to be wound off one spool and on the other, means for intermittently driving the said spools, means for guiding the sign strip across the aperture from the top to the bottom thereof, means for automatically reversing the direction of movement of said spools, an electric circuit, a switch for controlling said circuit and means for automatically reversing the direction of movement of said driving means, said last mentioned means including a pair of pivotally mounted levers adapted to be actuated by said driving means, said levers being operative to actuate said switch to place the latter in position to be operated by the driving means for reversing the direction of movement of the latter.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of a housing having a display aperture, a pair of spring drums within the housing a sign strip connected to the drums and having a series of messages appearing thereon, means for intermittently driving said drums, means for causing said drums to dwell when a complete mes sage is positioned in coincidence with said display aperture, an electric circuit, a switch for controlling said circuit and means for automatically reversing the direction of movement of said driving means, said last mentioned means including a pair of pivotally mounted levers adapted to be actuated by said driving means, said levers being operative to actuate said switch to place the latter in position to be operated by the driving means for reversing the direction of movement of the latter.

9. In an advertising device, the combination of a casing having a display aperture, a pair of spools within the casing, a sign strip connected to the spools and having a series of messages appearing thereon, means for intermittently driving said drums to feed said sign strip across the said display aperture, means associated with said driving means for allowing said sign strip to dwell whenever a complete message is positioned in coincidence with said display aperture, whereby the import of said message may be fully appreciated, an electric circuit, a switch for controlling said circuit and means for automatically reversing the direction of movement of said driving means, said last mentioned means including a pair of pivotally mounted levers adapted to be actuated by said driving means, said levers being operative to actuate said switch to place the latter in position to be operated by the driving means for reversing the direction of movement of the latter.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination of a housing having a display aperture, spools mounted within the housing, a sign strip connected to the spools and having a series of messages appearing thereon, said sign strip being adapted to be wound off one spool and wound on the other, means for intermittently driving said spools, means associated with said driving means for allowing said spools to dwell at predetermined intervals, guides for directing the sign strip across the display aperture for displaying the said messages therethrough, an electric circuit, a switch for controlling said circuit and means for automatically reversing the direction of movement of said spools, said last mentioned means including a pair of pivotally mounted levers adapted to be actuated by said driving means, said levers being operative to actuate said switch to place the latter in position to be operated by the driving means for reversing the direction of movement of the latter.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination of a casing having a display aperture, a pair of drums within the casing, a sign strip connected to the drums and having a series ofmessages appearingthereon,said sign strip being adapted to be wound ofi one drum and wound on the other, means for intermittently driving said drums, said means comprising a gear member having constant rotary movement, a second member adapted to mesh with said gear member at predetermined intervals to have rotary mo-' tion imparted thereto during those intervals, means connecting said drums with said second member whereby said drums will move with said second member, guides for directing the sign strip across the display aperture, an electric circuit, a switch for controlling said circuit and means for automatically reversing the direction of movement of said driving means, said last mentioned means including a pair of pivotally mounted levers adapted to be actuated by said driving means, said levers being operative to actuate said switch to place the latter in position to be operated by the driving means for reversing the direction of movement of the latter.

12. In a device of the character described, the combination of a housing having a display aperture, a pair of horizontally disposed spools within said housing, a sign strip connected to said spools and adapted to be wound off one spool and on the other, said sign strip having a series of complete messages appearing thereon, guides for directing the sign strip across the display aperture for exposing the messages thereon, means for intermittently driving said spools for feeding said sign strip, said means including a compound gear adapted for intermittent engagement with a second gear, said second gear being operatively connected with said spools for driving the same, and means for automatically reversing the direction of movement of said spools, said last mentioned means including a pair of pivotally mounted levers adapted to be actuated by said spool driving means.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

SOLOMON CALLER. 

